Michigan State is looking to continue it's trend of outstanding defensive line play with the addition of at least 1 high-level defensive tackle for 2014. One of the players the staff is focused on is Enoch Smith Jr. of Mount Carmel High School in Chicago, Illinois. We have the details on his recruitment.

Under Head Coach Mark Dantonio Michigan State has developed into the top defensive team in the Big Ten. Getting to the top has been based on excellent evaluation and player development. Smith is a player that the staff believes can come in and help the team stay at the elite level of college football.

Smith, who checks in at 6-foot-3, 265-pounds, has an impressive list of suitors. Some of the BCS programs which have extended him a scholarship offer include Notre Dame, Illinois, Purdue and Tennessee. Michigan State has been in contact with Smith for quite a while and new defensive line Coach Ron Burton is taking the lead in recruiting him for Michigan State. Smith talked about the Spartans.

"Yes, they have offered," Smith said . "I just spoke with Coach Burton earlier today. Michigan State has a great program that is headed in the right direction."

Former Michigan State Coach Dan Roushar did a solid job of making contacts in the Chicago area. Coach Burton is following-up and recruiting the top players that the staff has evaluated as "plan-A" level prospects for 2014. We asked Smith if he has ever been to East Lansing and if he has been able to meet with Coach Burton personally.

"Yes, I have been to Michigan State twice," Burton stated. "The first time I was there for camp prior to heading into my sophomore season. The second time was a little over a month ago when the basketball team beat Michigan.That was Coach Burton's first day on the job."

As far as camps and future visits, Burton indicated that he is still very open about things. He does plan on making a southern trip so he can stop into a few of the ACC schools that are showing him a significant amount of interest. It is very likely that a day trip to East Lansing to check out a Spartan practice and see Coach Burton in action will occur in the coming weeks.

One aspect of his recruitment that Smith has stated is important to him is the chance to develop his skills to help him take his game to the next level. Coach Burton's track record as a an exceptional position coach with NFL playing experience certainly cannot hurt Michigan State's chances with Smith.

The Spartans are set to graduate seniors Tyler Hoover and Micajah Reynolds after the 2013 season. Based on the current depth chart the staff will likely look to add two quality prospect at the defensive tackle position. It is possible that a player signed in the class could have a chance of making an immediate impact if they come in physically ready to play.

As far as a decision, Smith indicated his plan is to make his college choice prior to his senior season. That will allow him to focus on helping his Mount Carmel repeat as state champions.

Smith will likely be at several of the elite player camps/combine that will be held later this spring. One camp in particular he will attend is the Rivals.com/Under Armour Event in Chicago. That camp is by invite only and determines which players get invited to the Rivals.com 5-Star Challenge Camp that will be held in the early summer.

SpartanMag.com.com will continue to follow the recruitment of Smith as it unfolds over the coming months.

Matt Dorsey's Take: Michigan State lost a quality position coach when Ted Gill retired back in January. Head Coach Mark Dantonio made sure that his replacement was not only a quality teacher of how to play the position, but also a very capable recruiter. You can be sure that Smith will be getting plenty of attention from Coach Burton over the coming months and he will hope to have Smith at the Spartan 1-Day Elite Player Camp so he can work with him personally.